Tapeworms Symptoms

Tapeworms are parasites that can infect the intestines and other parts of the human body. People contract tapeworms by eating raw or undercooked beef, pork or freshwater fish. Often people do not experience any symptoms of tapeworms, but in some cases tapeworms can be a serious, life-threatening condition.

General Symptoms

• Intestinal tapeworm infections do not usually cause any symptoms, but some people may experience nausea, diarrhea, weakness and pain in the abdomen. Infected people may also lose their appetite and suffer from weight loss.

Severe Symptoms

• Tapeworms can cause more serious problems if they move out of the intestines and into other parts of the body. Severe tapeworm symptoms include cysts, fever, bacterial infections, brain seizures and allergic reactions to the tapeworm larvae.

Other Symptoms

• Infected people may occasionally feel tapeworms moving around inside their anuses. It's also possible to detect pieces of a tapeworm's ribbon-like body in stool.

Treatment

• Seek medical treatment if you notice any signs of tapeworms. Medications such as praziquantel or albendazole are the most common way to treat tapeworm infections. Severe cases of infection may require surgery and organ transplants.

Prevention

• Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat and fish. Tapeworms can also be transmitted through contact with stool. Wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom and before handling food.